‘Cross-country cooperation needed for snow leopard conservation’

Kathmandu: Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri called for cross-country cooperation for the conservation of the snow leopard and habitat improvement for these big cats.

At the inaugural ceremony of the International Snow Leopard Conservation Workshop organised by the National Trust for Nature Conservation here Friday, Minister Shahi said that Nepal has been stressing regional cooperation to protect this endangered species of big cat that dwells in the mountainous region.

Stating that the snow leopards are not obliged to remain within the boundary of any country, the Minister underscored the region’s collective efforts to safeguard these creatures that are mostly found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan besides Nepal.

The global population of this species, according to the Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan (2017-2021), is estimated between 3,921 to 6290.

Nepal is home to 10 per cent of the world’s snow leopard standing at 397 as per the survey conducted by the World Wildlife Fund Nepal. This figure, as Minister Shahi put it, highlighted Nepal’s commitment and success in snow leopard conservation efforts.

Shahi further highlighted Nepal’s national and international commitment and cooperation towards conservation of mountain eco system and wildlife.